Step-ladder.



- form of bearing.

UNITED STATES PATENT Enron.

JOSEPH P. GRACE, OF MONTREAL,- CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO MARY ETI-IEL GRACE, TRUSTEE,l OF SAME PLACE.

STEP- LADDER SPECIFICATION forming* part 0f Letters Patent NO. 628,624, dated July 11, 1899.

Application filed November 25,1898. Serial No. 697,386. (No model.)`

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOSEPH P. GRACE, a subject of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residing in the city and district of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, (for which Letters Patent of the Dominion of Canada were grant-ed December 17, 1898, No. 62,097, the application for which was duly filed November 23, 1898,

Serial No. 83,794;) and I do hereby declare the The object of my invention is to provide ay connection between the supporting-frame and the ladder portion which will prevent all liability of the parts becoming loose and thereby making the ladder unsafe.

A further object is to providea bearing connection which extends the entire width of the support, whereby the wearing portions of the bearing will be continuous.

A further object is to providea step-ladder which is neat and attractive in appearance, durable in construction, simple and efficient in operation, and which can be made at an exceedingly-low cost.

To these andother ends my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the views, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a step-ladder constructedV in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part4 of the same, showing the p Fig. 3 is a detail of the top of the supporting-frame. Figs. 4 and 5 are views showing modified forms of bearing.

In constructing step-ladders heretofore it has been the practice to connect the supporting-frame to the step or ladder portion by hinges or by forming bearings at opposite ends of the connecting portions. These constructions have been found to be disadvantageous, however, by reason of the fact that the continual usage of the ladder causes the connecting parts to work loose, thus enabling the ladder to wabble, often causing accidents.

To obviate these and other disadvantages which are apparent, I have provided a construction in which the bearing is extended the entire width of the connection, the wearing-surfacebeingcontinuous. Bythismeans it will be impossible for the supporting legs or frame to become loose, compelling the frame to move in true alinement, in addition to which the support accorded to the top of the ladder portion is formed for its entire Width instead of at intermittent points, as is found in former constructions. To more fully set forth `the construction, I will now describe myimproved ladder as set forth inthe drawings in detail.

1 designates my improved step-ladder, comprising the step or ladder portion 2, having the top 3 and the supporting-frame 4 hingedly connected to the top. The portion 2 may be of any preferred construction or size, as may also the frame 4, my invention relating particularly to the form of the top or bearing portion of the frame 4 and the top 3, together with the means of connecting the same.

AAs shown in the drawings, the top 3 has its lower rear edge 5 formed with a semicylindrical groove C, extending for its entire width. The upper end 7 of the frame 4 is provided with a semicircular portion 8, adapted to fit the groove 6 and extending the entire width of the end 7. The top 3 and frame4 are each provided with sections 9 of the hinge 10, one of' said hinges being mounted at opposite ends of the top 3 and frame 4, said hinges being connected by means of a rod 11, passed centrally through the semicircular portion S. It will be readily seen that While the pivotal cohnection between the parts lis formed at the end, yet the weight placed on the ladder portion is borne equally along the entire width of the top, no weight whatever falling on the hinges 10 or the bar 11, while by reason of the bearing portions being semicircular and 'fitting within one another any liability of the portions warping is obviated. All Wear of IOO parts is equally distributed along the entire surface, so that at all times the parts will re- 4. A step-ladder, comprising a step orladder portion, having a top; and a supportingtain their proper positions.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 modifications are provided showing different `means of forming the bearing, but retaining the particular feature of the present invention in that the bearing-surface extends the entire width of the connection.

While the construction herein shown and described is What is believed to be a preferable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood thatI do not limit myself thereto, as various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to, and I therefore reserve the right to modify or vary l[he -invention as may fall Withinthe spirit and scope thereof.y

Having thus described' my invention, what I claim as new is-- 1. A step-ladder, comprising a step or ladderportion; a supporting-frame; and a pivotal connection between said portion and said frame, said connection forming a continuous bearing.

2. A step-ladder, comprising a step or ladder portion; asupporting-frame 5 and a bearing formed between said portion and said frame, said bearing having a continuonscon- .tact between said portion and said frame for their entire width.

A step-ladder, comprising a step or ladder'portion, having a top; and asupportingframe, pivotally connected to said top, the adjoining faces of said top and said frame vcontacting for their' entire width.

frame, pivotaliy connected to said top, the adjoining faces of said connection beingadapt ed to it one another for their entire length.

5. A step-ladder, comprising a step or ladder portion, having a top; said top having its lower face provided with a groove; and a supporting-frame pivotally connected to said top, said frame having its upper end arranged to iit and have movement Within said groove.

6. A step-ladder, comprisinga step or ladder portion; a supporting-frame; and a pivotal connection between said portion and said frame, said connection forming a bearing contactbetween said portion and said frame.

7. A step-ladder, comprising a step or ladder portion, having a top, said top having its lower face provided with a groove, said rgroove extending the entire width of said ltop; and a .supporting-frame pivotally connected to said top, said'frarne having its upperend extending the entire length of said groove, and also provided with a face adapted to t andhave movement within saidgroove,whereby a bearing contact will be formed between said top and said supporting-frame extending the en- --tire Width of the frame, said contact retaining its position against vertical and lateral strain, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. GRACE.

WVitnesses:

HORACE G. DEITZ, W. J. KOERTH. 

